Jamie Newberg at Scout.com looks at Pitt‘s recruiting so far (likes what he sees) and looks at some of the other targets by position.

Already Pitt has 11 commitments led by quarterback Pat Bostick and a very good offensive line group. The Panthers are looking to sign around 20 prospects and they have a chance to finish very high once again if they close strong.

Worth the read.

So is this.

Yesterday, August 14 Coach Roth had organized a press conference for me to declare my intentions to play football. In addition to my coaches and teammates, there were approximately 50 people there. I verbally committed to University of Pittsburgh. It was such a relief, to remove all the stress and tension of recruitment. Now I can concentrate on the upcoming season without any distractions.

And this.

Personally, I am pumped for this season. Our offense continues to get more complex and I am very comfortable with it. The reads and progressions I do now will be similar to what I will experience at Pitt. Coach Melnyk talks with Coach Cavenaugh at Pitt and some of our terminology this year will be similar to what I will experience next year. I look forward to coming out to a few Pitt games this year and spending time with the team and recruits. I also plan to see Southern Columbia play and check out this Hynoski kid!

Pitt commits Henry Hynoski and Pat Bostick are doing player diaries at Eastern PA Football A big hat tip to Tony DeFazio of PSR for the link.

Finally, a new blog to point you to. Panthers in the Pros from Adam Menzies will be tracking Pitt players in the NFL and NBA. It’s been added to the Pitt-Centric links on the right.

The SI college football preview issue is apparently out now.

They rank Pitt at #60. They put Rutgers (#47) and USF (#50) ahead of Pitt. The Big East, not surprisingly is ranked 6th in conference strength.

In their bowl projections Pitt goes to the new/old Texas Bowl in Houston to play Baylor.

Darrelle Revis made their All-American team.

Pitt defensive coaches are working hard to get the two fastest players, Tommie Campbell and Elijah Fields, uh, up to speed at new positions.

“Tommie is scary fast,” Rhoads said. “Scary because you watch how effortlessly he runs and how athletic he is, and it is as pretty to watch as a deer. Elijah does so many things that you can’t coach someone to do because of his natural ability that his potential is unlimited.”

Despite their athletic talent, neither is ready for a big-time role because they are learning new positions, a process that can be slow. Campbell was a safety last year, but he was moved to linebacker in the spring and is trying to unseat Derron Thomas at weakside linebacker. Fields was recruited as a receiver, but was moved to safety the first day of camp and has played catch-up since.

Both are potential difference-makers, big-time playmakers Pitt’s defense has lacked in recent seasons. That’s why coaches are pushing them so hard.

Speed is so vital for a Wannstedt defense.

In other notes, Zeise says that Brandon Mason not being at practice has something to do with his unhappiness with where he is on the depth chart. Zeise has been a big supporter of Mason, but Mason’s biggest problem has been an inability to stay healthy for longer than two weeks.

Pitt will help Tipton find another school. I’m guessing Tipton is looking for a Div 1-AA school. He is a redshirt sophomore, and I doubt he really wants to sit out another year.

Lowell Robinson had a very good practice at WR, and RB Kevin Collier has excelled when playing with the second team.

Pitt’s screw-up with the schedule is starting to be noticed outside of Pittsburgh. What do you expect? It’s mid-August and training camp stories get repetitive after a while.

Someone in the Pitt athletic department needs a calendar.

The school scheduled its Sept. 16 game with Michigan State at 3:30 p.m. and the game was scheduled for ABC regional telecast. Heinz Field, though, shares parking spaces with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ home field. The contract calls for any football traffic to clear out two hours prior to a home game.

Yep, you guessed it. The Pirates have a game scheduled at 7:05 p.m. on Sept. 16. Pitt will probably have to reschedule the game for noon. Both conferences (Big East and Big Ten) plus Michigan State will expect someone — yep, you guessed it, Pitt — to make up the difference in television money lost because of the switch.

I’m guessing this is not the kind of story on Pitt the Athletic Department is hoping to see making news.

It really seems Pitt would be more interested in changing the time of the game rather than do anything about parking.

Further complicating the scenario is a new partnership between Pitt and the Pirates. PNC Park hosts the Panther Zone, site of pregame activities for Pitt students, for all home games. It also is the starting point for Pitt’s March to Victory and the Panther Prowl to Heinz Field.

…

Molin said he talked to Michigan State athletic officials yesterday to inform them of the conflict. He said Pitt would continue to look into changing the game time “until someone tells me for the record that it can’t happen.”

While alternative parking and using shuttle buses is mentioned, it doesn’t seem to be the desired option by the Pitt Athletic Department.

Now, the pressure is on the Pitt Athletic Department to solve this problem. They, essentially, are responsible for the mess. If I’m in the Pirates organization, though, I see a big opportunity here.

Let’s face it, the crowds haven’t really been there this season, despite the boost in season ticket sales tied to possibly getting tickets to attend the All-Star Game. More importantly, the other revenue streams — parking and concessions can not have been that good with all the no-shows. Plus, anyone with half a brain knows the team will draw really poorly next year after this season.

So, if I’m in the Pirates organization, I want Pitt to keep the 3:30 start time. I then want to let the Pirate ticketholders to be very aware of that. Highly recommend they come early to the ballpark to avoid the traffic congestion when the Pitt game would be expected to end around 6:30 or 7 pm. Do whatever it takes to get people coming to PNC Park early. A big boost for the concessions as people get to the park early and eat dinner, snack and drink there.

So, the Pirates should work with Pitt on some of the parking. Maybe let them have part of a lot. It wouldn’t hurt the Pirates in the PR area — which they always are in need of help — and it would make them appear altruistic while really serving their own finances quite handsomely.

The preseason blogpoll is out. You can see the individual ballots here. My vote is here. During the season I will make an effort to get a draft version of my ballot posted earlier to get more feedback from everyone before submitting my ballot. I really do want some feedback and help this year. It gets to be a pain in the ass after a while to have to think about this.

Penn State bloggers did their best to push their team high in the polls. That was hardly the shocking thing.

What blew me away was seeing Pitt listed in the “Also Receiving Votes.” Let’s give a thank you to Matt of Statistically Speaking. Matt put Pitt at #15 and tabbed them as one of his sleeper teams. Whatever he’s drinking, I’ll take a double.

The latest press conference from training camp. Nobody panic because McKenzie Mathews went home.

On McKenzie Matthews’ absence from practice:

I’ll tell you what happened with McKenzie. When all of this happened without getting into a lot of details, he obviously stayed and practiced through everything. I had conversations with his coach, his mom and everything. I had pre-arranged for him to go home and see his mother and his coach. This was set up four days ago, and he’ll be back. It was a personal thing that I just felt was important to do at this time. That’s where that’s at.

Everybody breathe. This is not a big deal. It jibes with what his HS coach told the Syracuse beat reporter on Monday.
Brandon Mason was excused for personal reasons that Coach Wannstedt says will be explained later. Cue ominous music.

Linebacker Tyler Tipton is going to transfer. Pitt will help him. I would guess he sees an opportunity to crack the line-up fading quickly.

Darrelle Revis has a sore hamstring. Dexter Davidson needed to have both his knees scoped. I’m guessing he’s heading for a red shirt.

Bill Stull apparently gets the pin out of his finger on Friday, so he is getting closer to returning to full practice.

On the bright side Kicker David Abdul is apparently getting close to being cleared to practice. That’s great news for Abdul.

Other players returned or are close to returning.

On injured and returning players:

Dorin Dickerson came out today and got some work today which was encouraging. We expect that Conredge Collins will be back tomorrow. [Jason] Pinkston and Mick Williams are still slowed up because of the concussions. Hopefully Pinkston will be back tomorrow. Mick – it’ll be another day or two. For the most part guys are showing up. We don’t have any serious injuries. We’ve got a lot of guys out here that are banged up, beat up and practicing. That’s part of training camp. It’s what separates the men from the boys as we say. Dorin came out today and worked through some individual [drills] and did some things. He’s obviously not 100 percent. It’s going to take him a couple of days, but he’s back at it. I asked him at the end there, and he said he did feel good so that’s encouraging.

Coach Wannstedt had plenty of praise and encouragement.

On his thoughts after viewing the film from yesterday’s scrimmage:

After the film, the guys that jumped out that made some plays were Tommie Campbell, big John Malecki, Jovani [Chappel] did some nice things at corner and on special teams. Jeff Otah did some nice things on the offensive line. Shane Brooks, I think, has kind of turned into that tough guy. Kevin Collier showed up and scored two touchdowns. Doug Fulmer continues to make plays. I was really encouraged by, if you want to look at positions, probably our defensive line. But we still haven’t settled on anything yet. And the neat thing about it right now is the competition is so fierce – Rashaad Duncan, Corey Davis – everybody’s playing better. They’re all playing. It’s going to be a real, kind of interesting thing when we can say, `Okay, it’s game week guys, and here are the four tackles who are going to play and the four ends.’ It’s going to be a good thing, and we’re going to play a lot of guys and keep guys fresh. I kind of like that thing. I think Greg Gattuso and Charlie Partridge are really doing a great job of bringing those young kids along but at the same time keeping that healthy competitiveness.

Coach Wannstedt is relentlessly positive about his players. So I think it will be a cold day in hell before you see him really call out individual players. It does, though, breed a certain reading between the lines or reinterpretation of what he actually means when he doesn’t completely praise a player.

Just a couple things that kind of blend lines.

Since it’s completely anti-climactic at this point, it’s not worth its own post. Still, something worth noting. The Big East does not permit transfers of football players from one school to another within the Big East — ever. Incredibly harsh. Once they practice with the BE team, that player is forever off-limits to other BE schools.
Over the weekend was the Big East sponsored honoring of Basketball HoF inductee Dave Gavitt, the force and first commish of the Big East. Coach Dixon was on hand for Pitt, along with AD Jeff Long. Also attending was former BC and disgraced OSU head coach Jim O’Brien — can’t even imagine how awkward any conversation with him was. Even more stunning than O’Brien being on hand was BC AD Gene DeFilippo.

Actually, maybe DeFilippo feels good about making an appearance as the stories appear to be that Syracuse and BC will start playing annually maybe in 2010, ’11, or ’12. Matt at Orange 44 is right that the rest of the BE teams (and their fans) probably won’t be too thrilled with that. The bright side, if Tom O’Brien is still on the sidelines for BC, neither will he.

If BC coach Tom O’Brien has anything to do with it, however, when BC moves on to the Atlantic Coast Conference, never shall the twain meet again. Even as nonconference opponents.

“No, I’m not going to play anybody in the Big East, for what we went through,” O’Brien said, when asked if he’d ever consider playing Syracuse in the future. “Absolutely not.”

If, when this goes down, someone needs to make sure to tape the press conference when O’Brien swallows hard and talks about looking forward to it. Then they need to send me a copy. Really, it’s an underrated joy to see a red-ass being forced to eat his words.

Now for the annoyance factor of a BE school playing BC in football in basketball. I would be more pissed if it was basketball. BC is going to run up huge travel costs because there are no local games other than patsies without the Big East schools. This is more of an issue in basketball than football. Still, I’m bothered.
While I understand the logic for Syracuse as Matt gives perfectly reasonable explanation. I don’t have to like it. I also think it’s just too soon. Inevitably there would be a thaw, but this is just too soon in my view.

The faux belt buckle logo is the symbol and shows the name of the new/old bowl that will be taking the place of the Houston Bowl. The bowl website, is very much under construction. According to the site, the Texas Bowl will be “A celebration of the culture, heritage and football tradition of the Lone Star State.” Lone Star Sports & Entertainment President Jamey Rootes had this to say about the bowl:

“We believe we will look back at today’s event as the launching pad for the next cherished Houston sports tradition.”

What were the previous ones?

A dumb screw-up by the Pitt Athletic Department.

Pitt may have to move the kickoff for its Sept. 16 home football game against Michigan State from 3:30 p.m. to noon because of poor planning by the athletic department. If that happens, and at this point it is a definite possibility, it likely would cost the school thousands of dollars in television revenue and penalties as well as from the dropoff in ticket sales generally associated with earlier kickoffs at Heinz Field.

The sticking point is a lack of available parking spots because the Pirates play host to the New York Mets at 7:05 that night and, by contract, are guaranteed to have a large number of the parking spaces in the lots between the two stadiums available to their customers at least two hours before the first pitch. That means many of the parking lots that Pitt sells pre-paid parking passes for will be locked when Pitt fans arrive for the football game earlier that day.

The MSU game is supposed to be a regional ABC game. If Pitt has to move the time, they’ll have to pay penalties to ABC and to Michigan State (and likely the Big 11). Not to mention losing a big telecast opportunity.

I’m not sure how many parking lots/spaces would be lost. I would guess there is actually enough parking in the area to accomodate, but Pitt would have to shift some people — and the lots in question are definitely some of the pricier lots — meaning better paying fans and a decent amount of anger from them for being moved somewhere much further away.

Part of the major problem was that Pitt never communicated with the Pirates over the time. The Pirates claim they only found out about the game time problem recently by reading the paper. Still, why do the Pirates need that much parking for a mid-September game when they are on pace for what, 100 losses? Normally, they’d have what? Maybe 15,000 actual people in attendance? Answer: it’s a giveaway night.

In the past, the Pirates have moved their games in order to accommodate scheduling conflicts with the Panthers. But the Pirates aren’t budging this time because 1. It is Jack Wilson Bobblehead Doll Night. 2. They expect a crowd in excess of 30,000 fans that night. 3. The conflict is Pitt’s fault.

Please note, it’s Jack Wilson. Not Craig Wilson who they gave away to the Yankees. Jack is still with the team. Really, hasn’t the whole bobblehead thing played itself out? People really crave these things? And if it’s such a primo item, why would they have planned it for a Saturday night game when they should expect to draw somewhat decently. Isn’t that the sort of giveaway you use for a weeknight game?

Right now, everyone is claiming that it is an impasse that doesn’t seem to be resolvable. My thought is that Pitt cut a deal with the Pirates for use of the parking lots. It’s going to cost Pitt, but it is very clear at the moment, that anything done is going to cost Pitt money.

You know, as late as Monday, I was reading and posting on stories about how the offense was looking better than the defense. Now, after the first scrimmage the defense was apparently a little ahead of the offense.

On the scrimmage in general:

I think we got about 60 plays in. It was good. For the first scrimmage out of the block, I think the encouraging thing was, and history has proven, that your defense had better be a little bit ahead of your offense. I haven’t been involved with a good football team on any level where you’re watching the first scrimmage and the offense is going up and down the field and scoring a bunch of touchdowns and then all the sudden you become good on defense. I was pleased. I thought both quarterbacks threw the ball well. We didn’t have an interception. We didn’t have a turnover. We had two penalties, and they were both by the same guy. So for the most part, there were no penalties for the first group. No penalties for the first group, no interceptions, no fumbles. When you come out of the block and have the first scrimmage, that’s something that’s important. It’s important all the time, but particularly early. I really thought our defense played with a lot of emotion – the first group from time to time. We got an opportunity to look at a lot of young players.

That’s fine, if a little disconcerting. Once the team started scrimmaging the defense looked better. Everything else was just practice and drills. At most 11-on-11 drills.

It’s not like there’s some sort of revisionism going on.

Pitt’s defense has been dominant throughout training camp, while the offense — and quarterback Tyler Palko in particular — has been erratic. And that didn’t change in the scrimmage. But the offensive came on strong down the stretch behind second-team quarterback Kevan Smith.

Smith, a freshman, has taken plenty of snaps because Palko’s backup, sophomore Bill Stull, has been slowed by a broken finger.

Um, well that’s just one view.

The Panthers defense has been dominant throughout training camp, while the offense — and fifth-year senior quarterback Tyler Palko, in particular — has been inconsistent at best.

Palko and the offense showed improvement during Pitt’s first extended intrasquad scrimmage yesterday afternoon at the UPMC Sports Complex, but the best players on the field were on defense.

The former was an AP wire story — no byline — while the latter was from Dale Grdnic (who regularly covers Pitt stories for the Harrisburg Patriot and Johnstown Tribune-Democrat). I really hope Grdnic wrote the AP piece as well, because there are a few too many similarities in the stories.
In the scrimmage itself, the offense was able to move the ball but not able to get it into the endzone. Instead it was a couple field goals, and the kickers struggled overall for the day.

Both kickers vying for the starting job — Conor Lee and Dan Hutchins — struggled again (Lee 1 for 4; Hutchins 1 for 2) which has Wannstedt concerned.

Both walk-ons. Lee had nearly battled Abdul to a draw in the spring. Of course, maybe it’s because they were looking over their shoulders.

On the placekicking competition:

[Dan Hutchins] has done a nice job. It’s between him and Conor Lee right now. David Abdul was here today. He’s going to meet with the doctors, and we should get word on him by tomorrow whether he’ll be cleared medically or not. But it’s right now between Hutch and Conor, and nothing has been decided.

After two very good years of kicking, looks like this year could be something of an adventure.

Dorin Dickerson has been slowed in camp by injuries, but there is little chance Coach Wannstedt will redshirt him. He’s still too versatile and too potent a weapon on offense to not use right away. Other injuries included

Cornerback Kelvin Chandler, fullback Conredge Collins (hamstring), receiver Joe DelSardo (hamstring) and defensive tackle Jason Pinkston (concussion) joined the injured list and did not practice or scrimmage yesterday. Defensive end Chris McKillop (shoulder) practiced but did not participate in contact drills.

Mick Williams who has missed a few practices with migraines has been re-diagnosed and it seems is suffering from a concussion. He won’t be back practicing for a few more days.

The other stuff I hadn’t had a chance to post on this week.

Assistant Head Coach Bob Junko is taking a leave of absence from the team as his recovery from heart surgery in February has gone much slower than hoped. Junko is an underrated recruiter for Pitt, and has been Pitt’s recruiting coordinator this season. Not sure if the perceived slowness in the Pitt recruiting this summer is actually related considering how hands-on and active Coach Wannstedt is.

Taking over on the field for Junko is Charlie Taafe.

“We were fortunate to be able to gain the services of a highly knowledgeable coach in Charlie Taaffe on such short notice,” Wannstedt said.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to the University of Pittsburgh’s football program and help Coach Wannstedt build Pitt to the level of prominence it is accustomed to,” Taaffe said. “There is a real excitement and anticipation here and I’m glad to be part of it.”

Taaffe was Maryland’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2001-05. Prior to Maryland, he served as the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League (1999-2000) and The Citadel (1987-96). Taaffe additionally held collegiate assistant coaching positions at Army (1981-86), Virginia (1976-80) and Albany (1973). He was a graduate assistant at NC State (1975) and Georgia Tech (1974).

Taaffe was something of the scapegoat at Maryland for the team’s struggles. After leaving Maryland unexpectedly to “pursue other options” Maryland HC Ralph Friedgen announced he would serve as his own OC. Can you say scapegoat? I knew you could.
Alan Robinson is the longtime AP sportswriter for Pittsburgh. He has a piece noting some similarities to what Coach Wannstedt has done with recruiting in his first year to what his old boss and mentor Johnny Majors did back when he started at Pitt.

Maybe there’s not a Tony Dorsett or a Bill Fralic in the bunch, both players who were known nationally before enrolling at Pitt and went on to great college careers.

Less than a week into summer camp, though, it seems evident Pitt’s 27 freshmen have the potential to be the best such group at Pittsburgh since Dorsett’s in 1973. That class was greatly responsible from transforming the Panthers from one-game winners in 1972 to unbeaten national champions in 1976.

Maybe the names aren’t well known yet outside of recruiting circles, Pitt’s fan base and opposing Big East teams, but coach Dave Wannstedt didn’t bring them to campus to let them sit. That means the Pitt team that takes the field Sept. 2 against Virginia may not closely resemble the one that ended last season with an embarrassing 45-13 loss at West Virginia.

There probably hasn’t been a bigger changeover in the roster from one Pitt season to another since first-year coach Johnny Majors, during the days when there were no real scholarship limits, brought in scores of new players in 1973.

That’s one to save from the memory hole to review in a couple years.

Shane Corson is learning to play Center. Viewing it as the shortest route to playing time. It’s gone as smoothly as expected as a Guard moves to a position never played before.

Scott Corson’s training camp practice debut for the University of Pittsburgh was rather inauspicious, but at least he left a lot of room for improvement.

A former GreaterJohnstown Trojan lineman, the 6-foot-5, 280-pound Corson was moved from guard to center with the freshman group and mishandled consecutive snaps to the quarterback in the opening team drill.

“That was a tough start for Scott, but he’s learning a new position,” Pitt offensive line coach Paul Dunn said. “So, he’s going to make some mistakes, but he’s gotten better already. And he’ll continue to improve.”

Corson didn’t think it could get any worse.

“I was real nervous that first day because I never took a snap before in my life,” Corson said. “Then, we had two fumbled snaps right off the bat, so I had to make sure it didn’t happen again. I needed to be confident and approach the next practice with a better frame of mind.”

Interesting to note that in the story, Chris Vangas, who was challenging Villani for the starting Center position in the spring before an injury shut him down is now been moved to Guard. I would presume because he is good enough to be playing somewhere on the line, and Pitt needs depth and the best players out there.

Finally, Tom Dienhart at the Sporting News doesn’t think much about Pitt this season in his Big East quickies.

He does the least with the most: Dave Wannstedt, Pitt

…

Offensive coordinator on the spot: Matt Cavanaugh, Pitt
…

Watch him now, because he’s turning pro: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt

If this guy gets hurt, his team is toast: Tyler Palko, QB, Pitt

…

They’ll be worse than advertised: Pitt

Safe to call this the conventional wisdom of national sportswriters heading into this season.

Once more, I am doing the Blogpoll. Here is my ballot.

1. Ohio St. — I don’t think there is a clear #1 team going into this season, but someone has to be at the top. Issues with all of the teams in one way or another. Yes, I have big questions about how good their defense will be. I also have questions about their offense. Tressel has shown a reluctance to loosen up the offense at the start of the season. Playing things a little too close to his sweatervest. OSU gets the early judgment as to whether it deserves this ranking with the Texas game.

2. ND — Another team with big questions on the D. No real questions about the offense (unfortunately). Would love to put them lower, but…

3. Texas — If Vince Young was back, a no doubt #1 team. The QB situation seems murky. Still a very good team in most other places.

4. Auburn — I like Irons for the Heisman. This is a very good team. The SEC schedule is very favorable as all their away games (Miss. St., SC, Ole Miss and ‘Bama) are against weaker teams. They get Florida, LSU and Georgia at home and miss Tennessee completely. Their non-con may hurt them again in the BCS, though.

5. WVU — There’s no reason that WVU can’t run the table and be playing for the national championship. They have a very good team, their lines are excellent. I have to give grudging props to Rich Rodriguez for the way he has carefully built the Hoopies, and is clearly an excellent coach. He squeezes much of the talent from every kid he gets. Yet, echoes of 2004 are still lingering.

(more…)

An important thing for Henry Hynoski, Jr. was to make a decision before his senior year of HS began. He is Pitt’s 11th verbal and the 5th from the Eastern half of Pennsylvania.

It wasn’t just Coaches Wannstedt and  Dunn (who’s recruiting responsibility is to focus on the Eastern part of Pennsylvania). Running Backs Coach David Walker gave Hynoski clear visuals of how he could and would be used and coached.

Pitt is in desperate need of fullbacks, with sophomore Conredge Collins and junior Mark Yezovich the only scholarship players at the position. Hynoski was told by Panthers running backs coach David Walker that he could play in both traditional and one-back sets.

“He showed me all the films from when he used to coach at Syracuse. He had five fullbacks who made it to the NFL and said that’s his goal for me,” said Hynoski, whose father, Henry Sr., played at Temple and was a sixth-round draft choice of the Cleveland Browns in 1975. “It’s a long way down the road. I’ve got to take one step at a time.”

With Hynoski, Pitt and Coach Wannstedt laid the groundwork early.

“I always knew in the back of my mind that it was going to be Pitt, ever since my sophomore year when they started recruiting me,” Hynoski said before approximately 50-60 friends, family, teammates, coaches, and members of the media. “I just wanted to go through the whole process, just to make sure that I covered all of my options.”

At 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, Hynoski is a physical runner who gets many of his yards between the tackles. In his first three years of high school football, he’s rushed for nearly 5,000 yards and scored 72 touchdowns. His college choice ultimately came down to Pitt and Iowa, and both schools promised to use him as a running back and receiver.

“That’s what was so appealing about Pittsburgh,” Hynoski said. “I’m not just going to be in there to be a blocker. A lot of schools, that’s all they want nowadays. (The Pitt coaches) are thinking that I can run the ball from the fullback spot. I can line up as a single back and tailback. And I can move out to wide receiver, and create mismatches on linebackers.”

[Emphasis added.]
Hynoski announced at his high school (and the link to the quoted article above, has a picture of Hynoski donning a PITT hat).

For all the attention other schools and their fans have paid to the “wall” comment about Western Pennsylvania, Coach Wannstedt has also been working very hard at rebuilding recruiting in the whole state. He did this from the first spring at Pitt when he went on the rubber chicken circuit and visiting high schools in the eastern half. Something he did not neglect this year, either. After just one season, dividends are being seen clearly. This should be something to be of greater concern to schools like Penn State, Rutgers, Maryland and such. Pitt is not going to concede any part of Pennsylvania, and that is clearly not just rhetoric.

Aside from the brief drama of a couple homesick freshmen, training camp was relatively quiet. No overarching themes or big news. Just a lot of little notes and impressions from the beat writers.

The passing offense looked a little off yesterday.

DE Chris McKillop hurt his shoulder during practice was the only new injury. Other players were still with minor dings sitting out practice.

Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Mick Williams (migraines) missed practice for the third consecutive day. Freshman receiver Dorin Dickerson (ankle) hasn’t practiced since Thursday. Other regulars who did not practice were safeties Jemeel Brady (shoulder) and Irvan Brown (shoulder) and receiver Cedric McGee (hamstring).

Lowell Robinson and Aaron Berry are splitting kick return duties and backing up Darrelle Revis on punt returns.

Shane Brooks keeps getting noticed in practice for dishing out punishment to the defense when he carries the ball.

Neither McKenzie Mathews or T.J. Porter were going to be made available for interviews after taking a practice or three off to work through some homesickness issues.

Pitt director of football operations Chris LaSala said it isn’t uncommon for young players, particularly those from out of state, to go through some rough times and the team has support systems in place to deal with such issues. He said there are people to mentor the freshmen on everything from academic issues and life skills to campus life as well as life as a football player in a major college program.

He said camp is often the toughest time for freshmen because the players come to a new environment and do nothing but football-related activities for about three weeks. Because there are few students on campus, the opportunities for social interaction and activities are limited and so some players deal with loneliness as well as homesickness while they are struggling with the pressures of trying to earn a position.

H.B. Blades, essentially speaking for the players, does not see a big issue now that they are back.

That’s why it was easy for him to understand the plight of Porter and Mathews and why he knows there isn’t anybody on the team who is looking down on them. He said every player has gone through similar struggles and the tough part is finding a way to survive them.

“[Quitting] comes up in every player’s mind when you are a freshman,” Blades said. “At some point, every player considers it, especially when you are away from home and you have no family. You are in a new atmosphere with new people. It is tough at first, but we’ve all been there and you have to grind through it.

“We need T.J. and we need McKenzie. We need them to be here and contribute if we are going to be an elite team.”

At the same time, he points out they do need to take responsibility for their actions.

“I think they owe some people apologies, as far as coaches and their families,” senior linebacker H.B. Blades said. “A lot of people made sacrifices for them to be here. I’m sure that they’re going to regret it.”

So what could have been a big deal has quickly become a minor bump.

Jeez, late night to keep posting.

Pitt has a new verbal. Courtesy of Chris Dokish and the e-mail update from Pittsburgh Sports Report.

The University of Pittsburgh’s recruiting may not be going quite as well as last season, but that changed a little tonight as fullback HENRY HYNOSKI of Southern Columbia High School in Catawissa, PA chose the Panthers over Iowa. The 6’2″ 245 pound Hynoski was one of the most coveted players by the Panthers because of his brute strength, hard running, and high character.

Hynoski is a 3-star recruit according to both Scout.com and Rivals.com. PantherLair.com puts him as the #16 prospect in PA, while Rivals.com lists him as #21 for the state and the 6th best FB in the country.

Hynoski’s father, Henry,Sr. played at Temple and was with the Browns from ’75-76.